Cut and paste from the heraldsun.com.au
Jane Metlikovec
February 13, 2009 12:30pm
UPDATE 4:00pm: A 39-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with lighting a fatal bushfire and possessing child pornography.
The suspect, who cannot be named, was charged at Morewell Magistrates' Court with one count of arson causing death and one count of intentionally lighting a bushfire.
The arson charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years, with the bushfire charge carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years.
Both charges relate to incidents which occurred last Saturday, February 7.
He has also been charged with possessing images of child pornography.
The suspect was arrested in Churchill yesterday at 4pm as part of Operation Winston, the local arm of the police's Phoenix taskforce, set up to investigates Victoria's bushfires.
Det Sen-Sgt Adam Shoesmith of the Arson Squad said the suspect was arrested in a public place and "went without a fight".
The suspect did not attend this afternoon's remand hearing, although he was in the court building at the time.
His legal aid defence lawyer suggested that his client was psychologically unwell.
"The accused is in a fragile mental state," the lawyer said. "He should be seen to by a doctor."
The suspect did not make an application for bail and was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court for a filing hearing on Monday, 16 February.
Police probe: Firebug held, hunt for more
I hope that they get them all.
Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:06 am